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Advice on Coaxial cable clip

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djsb

Member
I have a coaxial cable clip (please see attached photo's) that has a capacity for 7 off 3mm outside diameter cables to be pushed into it. The clip snaps into a couple of square slots in the aluminium chassis of an HP/Agilent HP8563E spectrum analyser.
The original clip has snapped in half. I'd like to have a go at making a 3d model that could maybe be produced by shape ways or similar. What is the best way of making a start on this? I'm a relative beginner to using Alibre as I don't get much chance to use it. Here is my excuse. Would it be best to start with a 2d profile of one section of the clip where the cable is clipped into and then replicate/copy that section 7 times? If so, I guess the next step would be to extrude the profile upwards? And then add the end clips last of all.
I've done a search of the 3d model sharing sites and downloaded a few cable clip models. However, none of them are the same as the original. Any tips? Thanks.


PS I'm using Design expert 28.1
 

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  • CoaCableClip1.jpg
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  • CoaxCableClip2.jpg
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  • CoaxCableClip3.jpg
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  • CoaxCableClipDimensionSketch1.jpg
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I'd start with the profile of one of the clips, take some measurements with a caliper if you have one (looks like you have). Then Midplane Extrude Boss that profile. Once you have that extrusion then create a Horizontal Feature Pattern to get the 7 clips. You can add the end clips last, create one and mirror it to the opposite end. You may need to add a mirror plane in the middle of the main body to mirror the end clip.

If you create the center clip on the Origin and pattern that from the Origin you can mirror the pattern to the opposite end.

I'd make an example part for you but I just removed my v28 and only have v29. :(
 
Here's your first sketch going off the dims on your posted image...

1783107052196.png

Then Linear pattern that...

1783107116505.png

Add the end cap...

1783107199121.png

and the hook feature...

1783107264314.png

Add some fillets and mirror the part to complete the body. Add some chamfers to the hooks.

1783107318581.png

You'll have to work with your dimensions to get the final size dimensions of 36 mm and 40 mm. There are some errors creeping in somewhere. :confused:
 
Hi Harold, How do you get the Parameter numbers to show in your sketch please? D4=6 etc.
I can't find a setting for that in V28 or is it a V29 thing?
Thanks.

Jim
 
JimCad said:
Hi Harold, How do you get the Parameter numbers to show in your sketch please? D4=6 etc.
I can't find a setting for that in V28 or is it a V29 thing?
Thanks.

Jim
Click to expand...
Hey Jim, open a partor assembly, go to Properties-> Dimension and click the show toggle equation.

Then on the bottom left click set current setting as default.

Massive help in designing that.
 
Would taking a close up photo of the end be easier and using tracing to create a sketch/profile? If so, any tips to make this easier (maybe placing the black part on a white background?). Thanks
 
Try it.
Having an image to trace is easier for small parts IF the part is in focus and you don't have any parallax. Just make sure when you import the image for tracing that you get the scale right, include an object of know size, like a ruler, in the image then scale off that item.
 
I have found that Alibre is a great tool to reverse engineer parts for 3d printing. However converting images to vector sketches is not a useful function. I just use a caliper. Take for example the image of a hole. You try to size it with a circle off the image but a caliper or best fit drill bit measurement is more accurate, due to calibration and how clear the edge is. You also have to consider accuracy of the printer, which sometimes changes from OD to ID.
 
You're right that you won't get accurate sizes of holes from a traced image. You can, however, get the general location of holes and features then use a caliper to get some accurate measurements to use when creating your sketches.

dean448 said:
You also have to consider accuracy of the printer, which sometimes changes from OD to ID.
Click to expand...
Huh? Care to explain?
 
Holes and bosses are round. But I find that holes tend to come out small and bosses tend to be large. Point is that an image doesn’t get you to the correct size. I’m talking for functional designs. Just my experience.
 
Quote"
Hey Jim, open a partor assembly, go to Properties-> Dimension and click the show toggle equation.

Then on the bottom left click set current setting as default.

Massive help in designing that."


Been on holiday.
Back home now and done.
Thank you very much. That's going to be a Big help.

Jim
 
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